The burned remains of Big Tex stand at the State Fair of Texas Friday, Oct. 19, 2012, in Dallas. Fire destroyed Big Tex on Friday, leaving behind little more than the metal frame of the 52-foot-tall metal-and-fabric cowboy that is an icon of the State Fair of Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

In this Sept. 27, 2002 file photo, Big Tex welcomes visitors to the Texas State Fair in Dallas. Fire destroyed Big Tex on Friday, Oct. 19, leaving behind little more than the metal frame of the 52-foot-tall metal-and-fabric cowboy that is an icon of the State Fair of Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)

In this Sept. 27, 2002 file photo, Big Tex welcomes visitors to the Texas State Fair in Dallas. Fire destroyed Big Tex on Friday, Oct. 19, leaving behind little more than the metal frame of the 52-foot-tall

Gene Baker, with the State Fair, leans out on the shoulder of Big Tex to unfasten the lift cables on the north end of the State of Texas Fair's Midway in Dallas, Monday, Sept. 26, 2011. The 2011 State Fair, "A Timeless Tradition", is also the 125th anniversary of the Fair in Dallas. (AP Photo/Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Paul Moseley)

Gene Baker, with the State Fair, leans out on the shoulder of Big Tex to unfasten the lift cables on the north end of the State of Texas Fair's Midway in Dallas, Monday, Sept. 26, 2011. The 2011 State Fair, "A

Big Tex weighs-in at 6,000 pounds and is 52 feet tall. He wears a 75-gallon hat and size 70 boots.

Big Tex weighs-in at 6,000 pounds and is 52 feet tall. He wears a 75-gallon hat and size 70 boots.

Photo: San Antonio Express-News

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Amanda Christianson is help up by John Stewart next to Big Tex for a friend, not shown, to take a photo of the pair at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas, Friday, Oct. 12, 2012. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Amanda Christianson is help up by John Stewart next to Big Tex for a friend, not shown, to take a photo of the pair at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas, Friday, Oct. 12, 2012. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Photo: LM Otero, Associated Press

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Six-month-old Baron Rodriguez, of Crandall, Texas, is held up by his mother Natasha Rodriguez for a photo with Big Tex as his brother Anthony Rodriguez, 11, looks on during the State Fair of Texas, Friday, Sept. 28, 2012, in Dallas. According to Natasha Rodriguez, she has held up each of her three children for a photo with Big Tex when they were infants.

Six-month-old Baron Rodriguez, of Crandall, Texas, is held up by his mother Natasha Rodriguez for a photo with Big Tex as his brother Anthony Rodriguez, 11, looks on during the State Fair of Texas, Friday,

Workers raise Big Tex for his 60th time for the Texas State Fair at Fair Park in Dallas September 24, 2012. (Nathan Hunsinger/ The Dallas Morning News)

Workers raise Big Tex for his 60th time for the Texas State Fair at Fair Park in Dallas September 24, 2012. (Nathan Hunsinger/ The Dallas Morning News)

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School and day care children gather to see the lifting of Big Tex on the north end of the State of Texas Fair's Midway in Dallas, Monday, Sept. 26, 2011. The 2011 State Fair, "A Timeless Tradition", is also the 125th anniversary of the Fair in Dallas. (AP Photo/Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Paul Moseley)

School and day care children gather to see the lifting of Big Tex on the north end of the State of Texas Fair's Midway in Dallas, Monday, Sept. 26, 2011. The 2011 State Fair, "A Timeless Tradition", is also the

Tim Thibodeaux puts the finishing touches on Big Tex's neck tie before the 52-foot -tall cowboy is lifted up at the State Fair of Texas on Monday, Sept. 26, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. The State Fair of Texas' biggest spokesman was erected ahead of opening day, which will be Friday, Sept. 30, 2011. (AP Photo/The Dallas Morning News, Lara Solt) MANDATORY CREDIT; MAGS OUT; TV OUT; INTERNET USE BY AP MEMBERS ONLY

Tim Thibodeaux puts the finishing touches on Big Tex's neck tie before the 52-foot -tall cowboy is lifted up at the State Fair of Texas on Monday, Sept. 26, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. The State Fair of Texas'

Fair-goers walk past the Big Tex statue during the State Fair of Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2008, in Dallas.

Fair-goers walk past the Big Tex statue during the State Fair of Texas, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2008, in Dallas.

Photo: Matt Slocum, AP

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Workers shine Big Tex's boots before the 52-foot-tall cowboy is lifted up at the State Fair of Texas on Monday, Sept. 26, 2011 in Dallas. The State Fair of Texas' biggest spokesman was erected ahead of opening day, which will be Friday, Sept. 30, 2011. (AP Photo/The Dallas Morning News, Lara Solt) MANDATORY CREDIT; MAGS OUT; TV OUT; INTERNET USE BY AP MEMBERS ONLY

Workers shine Big Tex's boots before the 52-foot-tall cowboy is lifted up at the State Fair of Texas on Monday, Sept. 26, 2011 in Dallas. The State Fair of Texas' biggest spokesman was erected ahead of opening

During a portrait, Jose Luis Martinez Hernandez of Mexico City kisses his wife, Sara Rice of Dallas after their friend Tom "Pinky Diablo" Sale of Ennis conducted their wedding ceremony in front of Big Tex at the State Fair of Texas on Oct. 12, 2010. (Brendan Sullivan/The Dallas Morning News)

During a portrait, Jose Luis Martinez Hernandez of Mexico City kisses his wife, Sara Rice of Dallas after their friend Tom "Pinky Diablo" Sale of Ennis conducted their wedding ceremony in front of Big Tex at

Update: Dallas fire officials say an electrical short in Big Tex's wiring caused the fiery demise of the towering cowboy who had been an icon of the State Fair of Texas for 60 years.Dallas Fire-Rescue released the official cause of the fire on Tuesday, saying it was due to an "unspecified electrical short."

The 52-foot-tall cowboy who greeted fair-goers with a "Howdy, folks!" was destroyed by fire on Friday. After the blaze was extinguished, the tarp-covered remains were hauled from the fairgrounds on a flatbed truck in a procession resembling a funeral.

"It's a great loss for us because of its icon stature," fair spokeswoman Sue Gooding said.

Gooding said she didn't know the cause of the fire but did note electrical controls move Big Tex's mouth and head. A Dallas fire spokesman didn't immediately respond to an email message seeking comment.

Gooding noted that no one was injured in the fire and added that she expects him to be back for next year's state fair.